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I recently tried the AcryliKey product. I repaired ivory chips on my Steinway with results better than I had expected. The small kit has pure white color as well as a slightly yellowed powder. Personally I always whiten my ivory keyboards. The AcryliKey has an almost invisible finish if done properly. The first time I did it I repeated the repair a few times but I eventually got the process down. You only mix enough to do one or two at a time, It sands nicely with emery files in different abrasions for coarse to fine to a pre-polish finish. I have done several field repairs since with customers very pleased with the results.

I have tried applying wafers but getting thickness' to match is difficult and time consuming. Some pianos have way to many chip and splits so I would recommend new keytops. It's a good product and is compact enough to keep in your tool case. I'd say give it a try!

I recently tried the AcryliKey product. I repaired ivory chips on my Steinway with results better than I had expected. The small kit has pure white color as well as a slightly yellowed powder. Personally I always whiten my ivory keyboards. The AcryliKey has an almost invisible finish if done properly. The first time I did it I repeated the repair a few times but I eventually got the process down. You only mix enough to do one or two at a time, It sands nicely with emery files in different abrasions for coarse to fine to a pre-polish finish. I have done several field repairs since with customers very pleased with the results.

I have tried applying wafers but getting thickness' to match is difficult and time consuming. Some pianos have way to many chip and splits so I would recommend new keytops. It's a good product and is compact enough to keep in your tool case. I'd say give it a try!

I have tried every kind of combination of epoxy, ca glue, with powdered ivory that I sanded myself, to flour and sugar and every other substance that I could think of. Only to be disappointed. For years...

Then, out of despair and resignation, I would find the best match that I could, and glue it on with every possible clamps and glues that I could think of, only to be disappointed by the result. And believe me I am a key man, I just love them. And I am good at it, judging by my customers.

It's just not good enough for ME.

I feel bad thinking a few keys are from a different nice elephant, who probably died because of his tusks. I just don't want to separate them. If this acrylikey stuff works and can help me to save ivory sets, it will be a tribute to them.

Some techs are also using UV light curing surfboard repair epoxy for key chips. I tried it a few years back but wasn't entirely pleased with the results. Always ended up whiter than the ivory, even when I mixed in tint.

The kit is 64$ plus 35$ shipping to Canada. I don't mind the 64$ but the shipping is way high, and that is with USPS.

Whenever I order stuff from the supply houses, I always order multiple items to make shipping more economical. Depending on how close you are to the boarder, perhaps you can find a parcel service just south of the boarder to have your items shipped to.

... I like the acrylic that the kit contains.My wife says it the same stuff she uses for finger nails.She purchased some today so I'm going to try it.

That's what I've been using for a couple of years now.

It's less expensive and seems to work as well as the stuff used by dentists.

ddf

Thanks Del,

You mean that the fingernail acrilyc works just as well?

Do you still order the powder or is there an alternative as well?

The kit is 64$ plus 35$ shipping to Canada. I don't mind the 64$ but the shipping is way high, and that is with USPS.

Seems to. I think I heard about this first from Ryan Sowers and, when I needed something in a hurry, I went to a local beauty shop supply store and picked up a couple of different appropriate-looking colors of powder along with the liquid that goes with the powder. Smells about the same which is to say they both smell equally bad. Use with plenty of ventilation.

I've had some repaired keys out there for several years that are doing just fine.

It's a lot easier and, I think, better than trying to match original ivory heads.

... I like the acrylic that the kit contains.My wife says it the same stuff she uses for finger nails.She purchased some today so I'm going to try it.

That's what I've been using for a couple of years now.

It's less expensive and seems to work as well as the stuff used by dentists.

ddf

Thanks Del,

You mean that the fingernail acrilyc works just as well?

Do you still order the powder or is there an alternative as well?

The kit is 64$ plus 35$ shipping to Canada. I don't mind the 64$ but the shipping is way high, and that is with USPS.

Seems to. I think I heard about this first from Ryan Sowers and, when I needed something in a hurry, I went to a local beauty shop supply store and picked up a couple of different appropriate-looking colors of powder along with the liquid that goes with the powder. Smells about the same which is to say they both smell equally bad. Use with plenty of ventilation.

I've had some repaired keys out there for several years that are doing just fine.

It's a lot easier and, I think, better than trying to match original ivory heads.

ddf

Thanks very much!!!

I am so tired of trying to match them, and reticent to separate them.

My daughter used to sell Mary Kay products. And I can see how the cosmetics industry, given the profits involved, would have come up with a product.